Lady Rosabella's Ruse - By Ann Lethbridge Page 0,76

do so.’

Rosa stared at her. ‘You think I shouldn’t marry him?’

Penelope took a quick breath. ‘Stanford is a hard man to know. He has rarely stayed with the same woman more than a month or two and has very few good friends. He lets no one close. Even my husband agrees he is not good marriage material. If you want to change your mind, I will help you find an alternative.’

The words confirmed her fears. But marriage to Garth truly was her best hope for her sisters. She’d learned work in the theatre was sporadic. Only the principals made a good living. Everyone else scraped by. It was too late for second thoughts. Another payment to the moneylender was due at the end of the week and Stanford would help her only if they were married.

It wasn’t a love match. She’d given up on those dreams, but she did have hope they could make a go of it.

‘I appreciate your offer,’ she said. ‘But I think this is best.’

The other woman took her hand. ‘I hope so. I married my husband for love and it has been a rocky road. Perhaps your way is better.’

She looked so sad, Rosa couldn’t help herself and put an arm around her shoulders. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

Penelope sniffed. ‘Things are better. I should not have spoken of what I saw. A wife should turn a blind eye to such things or risk looking a fool. I am sure everything is going to be fine. I just wish he would be honest with me, so I know where I stand.’

‘If ever you need someone to talk to, I am here.’

With a brave smile, Penelope rose. ‘You see, already we are friends. I will take my leave now and look forward to seeing you on your wedding day. Have Stanford let me know the moment he has a date arranged.’

‘I will.’

She escorted her new friend to the front door and watched her climb into her carriage, feeling more than a little breathless. She really was going to be married. To a man she hardly knew, and of whom no one, not even his friends, had a good opinion.

Could she accept his intention to do as he pleased after the wedding? She didn’t feel very accepting.

She went back up to the drawing room. She read a few more lines of her book when another knock sounded on the street door.

‘Not more callers,’ Rosabella muttered. She ran to the window, peeped out just in time to see a footman loaded down with packages entering the house.

Voices echoed in the hall below and a second or so later Garth strolled in with a smile, his gaze seeking her out. ‘I went shopping.’

The footman followed him in, deposited the packages on the floor and left. Rosa eyed the parcels. ‘What did you buy?’

‘Bride clothes. Er…items you will need until your trunk arrives from Lady Keswick’s. I persuaded your grandfather to drop her a note. He will let me know when they arrive.’

‘My grandfather? Why?’

‘To observe the proprieties, so to speak. Apparently he isn’t keen on another scandal. He agreed to have your things delivered to his house and forward them on. I could hardly have them sent directly here.’

‘What else did he say?’

‘He agreed to say nothing against our marriage, no matter what his private thoughts might be. And nothing against you.’

She stared up at him. ‘Did he say anything else?’ Such as I want to welcome my granddaughters back into the fold.

Garth shook his head. ‘He wasn’t pleased to see me.’ He looked haughtily down his nose. ‘He indicated he rather thought we deserved each other.’

A small smile at the thought of Grandfather and Stanford glaring at each other touched her lips. ‘I am glad he won’t object.’

‘He agreed to the return of the trunk and the desk, too. Glad to be rid of them.’

Well, that was something.

‘The Smythes have agreed we can be married at their house by special licence,’ he said. ‘Later they will hold a dinner party where you will be properly introduced to some members of the ton.’

‘I know. Lady Smythe left a few moments ago. She wants to know what day you have chosen.’

‘I’ll send round a note.’

‘Oh,’ she breathed. ‘Then you have a date.’

‘Wednesday.’ He patted his pocket. ‘I have the special licence and a cleric to do the deed.’

Four days hence. ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ she asked.

An expression of resolve crossed his face, his shoulders